Awesome. looks like a painting. For anyone visiting the SW, don't forget Bryce. That was my favorite. All of them are nicest to visit in the 'off' season - late May or September. The Summer months are always crowded with visitors. Enjoy!

Hi, navdc, I loved Bryce best, too. Also loved the Escalante area--like a moonscape. We found a grave in the area, quite off road where we went for a long walk. The little marker said a name and then a date of birth and death. It was a baby about 3 months old. It was dated in the 1870's. I have never gotten over how sad it must have been for the family to bury their child in such a desolate area.

pixipixil

Nov 27, 2016

Hi Justine. We just got thru visiting much of the south part of Utah. We drove thru the Escalamte but didn't have time to explore. It struck me you need to be able to do long range hiking to see much of it. How did you get to the off road areas? Do you have a 4x4 or something you can use to drive to the interior?

justine72

Nov 29, 2016

Hi, pixipixil,
We actually went hiking about 4 miles. I wish I would have marked the map where we saw a couple of graves. There was another grave just off the road when we went over the Scenic Byway. It was between Torrey and Blanding. The grave said 1888. It was also a baby grave. We were walking around looking for dino fossils. We did have our daughter's friend take us off road near Kanab and also outside of Blanding. Need lots of water and so on but just so out of this world. I know of at least 2 people that rented a 4x4 just to do one section in the area. They rented just for two days and then stayed on road after that. I hope you had a wonderful trip. What was your favorite area?
Late Happy Thanksgiving.

pixipixil

Nov 29, 2016

We stayed in Torrey and hiked to the arch above Hickman's Bridge and a little of the Grand Wash.
I was stunned at the beauty of Capitol Reef. I didn't expect it to be so pretty. We came from Moab and took 70 to 72. It's longer but the scenery is marvelous. Someone suggested doing the Blanding circuit but we had already seen that drive 2 years ago when we came up from Butte.
If rural cemeteries interest you there's one in Butte just off a drive around the north side of town. It's tiny and doesn't even have a fence. Just some graves on a hillock overlooking the town.
Did you see the caves north of Kanab? We didn't have time to go to them.
Our favorite park is Zion. It's so "user friendly". Cedar Breaks and Bryce are colorful but mostly inaccessible to old foagies who can't do strenuous hikes. We tried the Queen's Garden and had to turn back. I was sick that day so maybe it doesn't count? Grand Canyon is wonderful but frustrating not to be strong enough to climb down or even ride down. Don't think I could manage that much time on a mule.
Happy belated Thanksgiving to you, too.

This summer we did most of the Utah national parks from Arches to Zion. What magnificence! We've been to Zion twice and it's our favorite. We 've never rented 4x4's and can't do strenuous hking so the parks best for us are the ones where we can see the most with the least effort. Zion is like that. We like Grand Canyon but are restricted to the distance views from the rim. With Zion you get to be up close. If you go stay in Springdale. It's expensive but not outrageous, and from it there are buses to the park and thru town. Don't miss the northern end. It's also spectacular.

Jingles, in this world full of fanatics, terrorism, wars and hate, there are still many who are kind, generous and appreciative for all they've been given in life. There truly is beauty in this world. May peace find its way to your heart.

Starrphyre

Feb 15, 2015

Unfortunately, aknan, the kind, generous, and appreciative folks never make the news. They (we, I hope) just are not sensational enough to be reported by the newser people who are tying to make big money, although we are certainly in the majority by far.

toadalove

Feb 25, 2015

It has been warm here. Did not have to shovel any snow this yer but now it is windy and the weekend is going to be all rain:(

tshepherd24

Mar 17, 2015

I feel the same way. God bless you too. My wife and I are looking forward to spring as well. :-)